Tulsa World: A fire safety lesson from a Dalmatian

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A fire safety lesson from a Dalmatian

Second-grader Karen Albarran, 8, pets Sparkles, a dog who helped teach Celia Clinton Elementary School students about fire safety on Monday. Sara Plummer/Tulsa World

By SARA PLUMMER World Staff Writer
Published: 11/25/2008 2:24 AM
Last Modified: 11/25/2008 2:52 AM

A firefighter and her dog teach children fire-safety tips

Sparkles started out as a family pet. But not even a week after adopting her, firefighter Dayna Hilton was testing the Dalmatian to see if she could get low and crawl on the ground.

Now Hilton and Sparkles, who are from Arkansas, travel all over the country teaching and demonstrating fire safety procedures to children — such as getting low and crawling.

The pair were at Celia Clinton Elementary School on Monday conducting fire safety programs for students.

Principal Tanya Davis said the school always teaches fire safety, but this was a much bigger presentation.

"This is something extra special," Davis said. "It makes a bigger impression. Most children learn visually and they can make a connection between safety and Sparkles."

Hilton, who has done fire public education since 2002, said it definitely helps having Sparkles along.

"They're more attentive when she's with me than if I were up there just talking by myself," she said.

A member of the Rotary Club of Tulsa, which is a Partner in Education with Celia Clinton, Davis is a friend of Hilton's and arranged the visit, she said. The Rotary Club also purchased Hilton's book about Sparkles and fire safety for each student at the school.

"It's in their homes and their parents can see it," she said.

When Hilton asked the students if they had a designated place to go outside if their home caught fire, only a few hands went up.

"Sometimes it's the first they've heard about it," she said.

Hilton also told the older students to be sure to teach the fire safety tips they learned to younger siblings.

Sparkles, who is 10 years old, never seemed to stop wagging her tail, even after hundreds of students had taken a turn to pet her.

"She loves to be around kids," Hilton said, but Sparkles may not visit many more schools. "I really need to retire her."

Hilton is already training another Dalmatian, Tango, to assist her in the future.

"Fire safety isn't just something you do once a year during Fire Prevention Week," she said. "It's something you need to do all the time."

Fire safety tips

Stay away from hot surfaces.

Use cold water to sooth a burn.

Stop, drop and roll if clothing catches on fire.

Know the sound of your smoke alarm and check the batteries twice a year.

Practice a home fire drill using an escape map.

Crawl low to the ground under smoke.

Source: tulsaworld.com/sparkles

Sara Plummer 581-8465
sara.plummer@tulsaworld.com By SARA PLUMMER World Staff Writer

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	Report Comment Missy M, on the block (11/25/2008 3:59:56 AM) I loved this article.This is so nice,you know I really appreciate the firemen.You know I dont know this for sure but dos'nt dalmations have something wrong with um and they dont live long?I dont know this to be a fact,,,,I do like them cause they seem to be good natured dogs.
	Report Comment Jolie, (11/25/2008 10:29:06 AM) Dalmatians can be prone to hereditary deafness (10 - 12% of puppies are born deaf) and are prone to having trouble with urinary stones and/or urinary blockage and also skin allergies. Their life span is 10 to 12 years. Dalmatians can make great pets. However, they require a great deal of exercise and attention from their family. They want and need to be a part of everything. They can be strong-willed and need consistent training to avoid becoming the one who rules the household. They are very intelligent and can be trained to a high degree, if the owner puts in the time to learn how and spends time training them on a regular basis. Care must be taken to properly socialize puppies so that they do not become aggressive around people, both children and adults, as they have a natural tendency to guard and protect. According to Dog Breed Info. Center online, FIFTY PERCENT OF ALL DALMATIANS ADOPTED AS PUPPIES ARE NOT KEPT BY THEIR ORIGINAL OWNERS PAST THE FIRST YEAR. When we were looking for our first dog many years ago, a breeder told me it was best for a first-time owner not to get a Dalmatian, but I had my heart set on the breed and got one and then another, read all I could and we did our best, which was not good enough, I'm afraid. They were the alphas of the pack and told us what to do for eight years. Now after owning other breeds and having many rewarding experiences of living with dogs, I suspect we would do much better a second time around with a Dalmatian and not make the same mistakes. But, personally, I would not take the chance. Dalmatians need people who really understand dogs and know how to properly train them and will include them in their everyday lives and give them plenty of exercise. If an owner can provide all of that, a Dalmatian can make a wonderful pet. If not, please do not choose a Dalmatian for your pet.
	Report Comment Missy M, on the block (11/26/2008 1:03:57 AM) Thanks for the in-put.They seem like good dogs.
	Report Comment Jolie, (11/26/2008 12:19:55 PM) You're welcome, Missy. I'm glad you came back to this article to read what I posted for you. Most of the time, I believe a dog's behavior and temperament are largely related to how they are raised and the experiences they have. Therefore, good dog usually = good owners and bad dog = bad owners at some point in time.
	Report Comment Jolie, (11/26/2008 12:21:49 PM) I should have qualified the last statement to read "bad dog = bad or INEXPERIENCED, UNINFORMED owners" as many owners make choices based on ignorance and not to deliberately harm their dogs' development.

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